The Environmental Chemistry group at ETH Zurich and the Department of Environmental Chemistry at Eawag share common research interests in understanding the fate of organic chemicals in the environment and team up for the study of water-soluble and water-dispersible polymers (WS/DPs). These polymers are widely used in home care and cosmetic products and enter both engineered systems (wastewater treatment plants) and natural aquatic and terrestrial environments. Key processes governing the transport and (bio)availability of these polymers-such as their adsorption to solid-water interfaces-remain poorly understood. In this new joint initiative, researchers from both institutions combine expertise to advance a systematic understanding of WS/DP fate processes in diverse receiving systems.
Project backgroundThis project aims to advance a fundamental understanding of WS/DP adsorption to solid-water interfaces, including soils, sediments, sludge, and model mineral/organic surfaces. Experimental studies will investigate polymer-surface interactions, adsorption reversibility, and polymer conformations in adsorbed states, considering polymer chemistry (e.g., polarity, charge, molecular weight), sorbent properties (e.g., surface charge, specific area), and solution chemistry. Through this work, we aim to support model development and inform regulatory frameworks, in close collaboration with academic, industrial, and regulatory partners. The project will be conducted at both ETH Zurich and Eawag.
Job descriptionThe successful candidate will conduct fundamental research on WS/DP adsorption and establish (semi-)quantitative polymer structure-adsorption relationships by linking polymer and sorbent properties to experimentally collected adsorption and desorption data.
Specific tasks include:
- Conduct high-throughput batch adsorption experiments under varying solution chemistries (pH, ionic strength, composition).
- Perform column transport experiments to assess polymer mobility and adsorption under hydrodynamic flow.
- Complement experiments with in-situ surface measurements to determine adsorbed concentrations and conformational dynamics at the sorbent-water interface.
- Apply high-resolution mass spectrometry to quantify polymer residues in solution.
- Develop structure-adsorption relationships and provide mechanistic insights.
- Present results at conferences, prepare reports, and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
ProfileYou have a PhD degree in environmental, polymer, organic, colloid, surface, or material chemistry or related fields.
Proficiency in English is required.
Essential competencies are:
- Motivation for fundamental experimental research in an environmental chemistry context.
- Teamwork and effective communication skills.
- Commitment to co-advising students.
- Willingness to engage with regulators and stakeholders.
We offerAccess to state-of-the-art facilities at ETH Zurich (city center) and Eawag (Dübendorf). International teams with English as the working language, optional German classes, and professional training support.
- Your job with impact: Become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development, but also actively contributes to positive change in society
- You can expect numerous benefits , such as public transport season tickets and car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by the ASVZ , childcare and attractive pension benefits
Start date: Spring 2026 or as soon as possible; funded for up to two years with competitive salary.
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